Notes On .Literature-. Science And Art.

that it is certain that Babylonian tradition spoke of the practice of writing of some kind , in the age before the Flood . This , I believe , was the very system which we find in full vigour in iEgypt in the twenty-fifth century B . C . ; for nothing can account for the fact of a system so complete having prevailed in that country almost from the beginning of its history , without the least trace of one less perfect having preceded it , but acquiescence in these traditions , so far at least as to regard it as one which had descended

to the yE gyptians from antediluvian times . If , then , the art of writing was practised before the Flood , the children of Shem and Japhet would he acquainted with it , as well as the children of Ham . " Mr . Warrington W . Smyth , M . A ., P . R . S ., has just commenced a series of forty lectures on Min eralogy , at the Government School of Mines . Hog-hunting in Lower Bengal , by Mr . Peter Carpenter , is in preparation , with illustrations .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

iZVie Editor it not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . MARK MASONRY . TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAB . SIR AND BROTHEII . —Being aware that you have taken much interest in Mark Masonry , and consequently an admirer and friend to this beautiful part of the noble

Craft , I will feel much obliged if you inform me and others of the numbers of all the Mark lodges in England , and where they are held . This information in your Magazine may be the cause of removing several objections which are frequently made against it ; and also if you have ascertained what Grand Lodge the Mark Masons at Hythe hold thenwarrant from .

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Tours Fraternally , J00 [ We have frequently applied to Bro . Binckes , the Secretary to the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons , for the information without success . We believe that , as a rule , the

degree has not taken in England , and very few of the lodges are in working order . Probably some brother at Hythe will answer the other query . —En . ]

GEEEK FIKE . —This wonderful projectile , called also "liquid fire , " is said to have heen invented by one Callinicus , a machinist of Heliopolis , about the 7 th century , and it was used with terrific effect by the Greeks long before it became known to other nations . Though its exact elements , and their proportions , can now be a matter of conjecture merely , it is reasonable to suppose that naphtha , pitch , and sulphur were some of its principal ingredients . It was usuallkept in jars or large bottlesand could be propelledin its

y , , fluid state , from the prows of ships , and from fortifications , with as much precision as water is now thrown from a fire engine . The moment it was exposed to the air it ignited , and became a continuous stream of fire , carrying with it excruciating torture and inevitable destruction . Unlike other combustibles , water increased , rather than diminished its power ; it could only be extinguished hy vinegar , or stifled by sand ; while to its other horrors were added a dense smoke , a loud report , and a most disgusting smell .

. Being thrown on the decks of vessels , and into besieged places , it ignited whatever it came in contact with . Not unfrequently the heads of arrows , wrapped round with tow , were dipped into this horrid preparation , and became the couriers of lurid fire and death . No wonder that the stoutest heart dreaded it ; no wonder that it should always be mentioned with horror , and that results almost incredible should have been attributed to it . Happily for humanity , its composition is now unknown ; the secret of it appears to have been lost ahout the same period when gunpowder was discovered—as if God , in mercy , would not allow two audi scourges to exist together . —Boy's Own 3 £ agisine ( November ) .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC MEMS . The following has been going the round of the newspapers — " The Freemasons of Italy—who now enjoy the full benefit of a free Constitution under their enlightened King , Victor Emanuelhave unanimously elected General Garibaldi their Grand Master . This great movement will have an important effect in affording

security to the throne , and consolidating the liberties of the people . " This has , however , been contradicted by the Grand Lodge of Italy , it being stated that the party elected is Chevalier Negra , the present representative of Italy in Paris . The North British Mail says : — " We understand that the Duke of Atholl , as Grand Master Mason of Scotland , lodged a protest

with the Prince Consort against his laying the foundation-stones of the Post-office and Industrial Museum , at Edinburgh , on the ground that it was the province of the Grand Master Mason to perform that ceremony in the case of all public buildings . " We can hardly suppose the noble Duke can have taken any such step . If the duty said to be claimed , was always confided to the Grand Master of Freemasons in England , he would have something more to do than he has at present .

The Prov . Grand Lodge of Derbyshire will be held at the Assembly Rooms , Derby , on Tuesday , Nov . 26 th , at two o ' clock in the afternoon . -The anniversary of the Tyrian Lodge , for the installation of the W . M ., will be held on the same day . A Grand Conclave of Masonic Knight Templars is summoned to be held at the Freemason ' s Tavern on the 6 th December .

A special meeting of the Governors and Subscribers of the Boy ' s School is convened for the 22 nd inst . to consider a proposition for purchasing the land opposite the School House at Wood Green . We last week stated that Mr . Frederick Russell , the new Master of the School , was lately second Master of the Grammar School of Brentford , whereas , it should have been of Brentwood , an old endowed school founded upwards of three hundred years .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

PnasNlx LC-BOE . ( No . 202 ) . —The first meeting of this lodge for the season was held , on Saturday last , at the Freemason ' s Tavern , Bro . J . Bell McEntyre , W . M ., presiding . The business was purely formal , but a very pleasant evening was spent . The visitors were Bros . Simpson , Durrant , and Wilson . LODGE or ISBAET , ( NO . 24-7 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the London Coffee House , on Nov . 12 , under the presidency of

Bros . Solomon , W . M . ; Morris , S . W . ; and Engel , J . W . Mr . George Bowes was initiated into the order , and Bro . Barlow raised to the third degree . The petitions of a distressed brother , and the widow of another , having been considered , they were relieved . On the motion of Bro . J . M . Harris , seconded by Bro . Ladd , P . M ., it was resolved to give the votes of the lodge , at the next election for the Royal Benevolent Institution , to the widow of Bro . Philip Broadfoot .

INSTRUCTION . ROYAIJ ATHEMTAIT LODS-E ( NO . 19 ) . —ANNUAL BANQUET . — On Thursday the 7 th ins < ., the annual banquet of the above Lodge of Instruction was held at Bro . James W . Adams ' , Union Tavern , Air-street . Bro . Gale , P . M . of the parent lodge , in the absence of Bro . Caldwell , presided , and Bro . Thomas A . Adams , G . Pursuivant , officiated as Vice President . The supper was , like all at Bro . Adams ' s , profuse , excellent , and piping hot . About forty brethren were present , amongst whom we recognised Bros .